Aromatherapy Properties: An olive to dark brown viscous liquid with a pungent, musky, balsamic-woody odor. It blends well with sweet and earthy oils such as cedarwood, lavender, oakmoss, mandarin, patchouli, petitgrain, pine, and rosemary.

Spiritual Uses: Valerian root may be an acquired taste as far as scent goes, but its musky, earthy scent adds much potency to meditations or magick rituals. It is useful for those working with Elemental Water or Elemental Earth, and may be helpful, when used judiciously, for achieving deep trance in meditation.

History: Valerian root also has a long history of use in Ayurvedic and European folk medicine. During the Middle Ages, Valerian was thought to be able to cure, or at least relieve, most illnesses and conditions. As well as its tranquilizing qualities (which some studies suggest are relatively equal to those of the pharmaceutical Valium), Valerian is extremely attractive to both cats and rats, to the point where it is considered an effective and safe catnip substitute. Legend has it that the Pied Piper of Hamlin supplemented his pipe-playing by loading his pockets with Valerian root, so as to lure rats away from towns.